Arkansas may be known as the home of Walmart, but there’s a lot more to the Natural State. Its manufacturing sector now provides more than 12% of the state’s jobs, while the food and agribusiness industries continue to grow. Tyson Foods is headquartered here, and food companies like PepsiCo, Nestlé, Kraft and Heinz also have a notable presence. Yet the state is also home to a growing number of companies in tech, cybersecurity and financial services. While CEOs like the favorable business climate that makes it easy for businesses to relocate and expand, workers like the scenic beauty and low cost of living.
Advantage Arkansas: Offers a state income tax credit for the creation of jobs based on the payroll of new, full- time, permanent employees hired.
Tax Back: Provides sales and use tax refunds on the purchase of building materials, machinery and equipment to eligible businesses.
ArkPlus: A state income tax credit program that provides tax credits of 10% of the total investment in a new location or expansion project.
Equity Investment Incentive Program: Discretionary income tax credit of up to 33.3% of amount invested for technology-based businesses offering wages above state or county averages.
Arkansas Economic Development Commission
arkansasedc.com
Association of Arkansas Development Organizations
arkansaseconomicregions.org
Little Rock Regional Chamber
littlerockchamber.com/economic-development
Fort Smith Regional Alliance
fortsmithregionalalliance.com
In August 2022, the governors of Arkansas and Oklahoma announced plans to develop the Oklahoma-Arkansas region as a national hub for advanced mobility with the support of Tulsa Innovation Labs and Runway Group, a holding company in Bentonville. The effort will support the growth in the area of the advanced mobility industry, including drones, electric and autonomous vehicles, battery manufacturing, and transportation and logistics solutions.
6 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in state:
Chief Executive Group exists to improve the performance of U.S. CEOs, senior executives and public-company directors, helping you grow your companies, build your communities and strengthen society. Learn more at chiefexecutivegroup.com.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
